Have you ever wanted somebody to do something for you? Of course, we all did . It’s not just that we want somebody to do something for us but that we want them to want to do it for us. If they complain, either with their speech or body language, we feel like telling them, “Nevermind, I’ll do it myself”. Sure, there are lots of things we don’t want to do. But we have the power to control our own reactions when others ask for something. It may take time, practice, and patience, but you can control the response you give to people.

The next time you ask someone to do something for you, pay close attention to their response. Is the person disinterested? Do they seem hesitant to do it by dragging their feet? Or are they eager to jump in there and do what you ask them to do?

When someone asks you to do something for them play close attention to your response. Does your response depend on who that person is? Does it depend on the way that person treated you in the past? Would the response you give be the same you would want to receive from someone you ask?

Put it all together. Initially, you will not be able to do anything about another person’s behavior. You cannot control another person’s response to you. For this reason, you have to relinquish that control. It’s out of your control right? Yes, to a degree that is a true. However, when you learn to consistenly control your own responses to others’ requests in a positive way, your request will be handled much better than had you not learned from these responses.

Pay attention to the response others give, the ones you give, and watch how things change over time as you begin to exercise the control you do have in your interaction with others.